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Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteerism is the hallmark of Jewish life in Chicago. Almost every Jewish agency and organization welcomes the participation of volunteers in its operation.
* Listings with an asterisk are part of the JUF/JF partnership of agencies serving the Chicago and worldwide Jewish community.
Amirim Israel Summer Programs |
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Young Judaea |
Offers volunteer and internship opportunities in Israel with social action oriented organizations. Four- or eight-week programs for ages 18-27. Includes weekly trips, insightful speakers, social events and learning opportunities. |
Avodah |
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4007 N Ravenswood |
Avodah engages the Jewish community in social and economic justice work by training future Jewish leaders who will stay in the fight for justice for life. In our flagship program, the Jewish Service Corps, we place young adults 21-26 from across the United States at leading anti-poverty nonprofits, where they spend a year combating the causes and effects of poverty. Our Corps Members live together and learn together in a supportive, pluralistic community at the crossroads of social activism and Jewish life. Meanwhile, the Justice Fellowship brings together early-career professionals who are working to address social and economic injustice. Fellows spend nine months engaging in cutting-edge programming that examines methods of social change, Jewish life, and the powerful intersections between the two. Finally, Avodah engages the wider community through a variety of educational programs executed in collaboration with our local partners. |
Camp TOV * |
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Jewish United Fund |
Week-long, interactive service-oriented summer program on wheels focusing on poverty, hunger, homelessness, environmental concerns, caring for the elderly, and leadership skills. Camp, which can serve as a bar/bat mitzvah service project, is for seventh- through 10th-graders from throughout Chicago and its suburbs. |
Dina & Eli Field EZRA Multi-Service Center * |
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909 Wilson Ave. |
The Dina and Eli Field EZRA Multi-Service Center is dedicated to tikkun olam, or "repairing the world," and helping our community members live with dignity through advocacy and compassionate, collaborative care for those experiencing a crisis or isolation. |
Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs |
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Midwest Region |
Jewish volunteers committed to serving their congregations, building a strong and united Conservative movement, study of traditions, and understanding through brotherhood. |
HIAS Immigration & Citizenship Volunteers * |
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HIAS Immigration & Citzenship |
Volunteers provide assistance to individuals who are applying for citizenship. This includes facilitating group citizenship classes, offering one-on-one tutoring sessions, and performing mock interviews, providing in-office interpretation or accompanying individuals to their naturalization interviews. |
JCC Chicago Women's Board * |
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300 Revere Drive |
The JCC Chicago Women's Board is a dedicated volunteer organization with an ongoing legacy of financial commitment, providing annual scholarship assistance to eligible campers at 'Z' Frank Apachi J Camp, Elaine Frank Apachi J Camp, Apachi Village J Camp, Camp Chi and all JCC Chicago Apachi J Camps in the city. Annual Women's Board activities and initiatives strengthen JCC camps and enhance programs and facilities. The JCC Chicago Women's Board also provides direct services to the needs of the greater Chicago Jewish community. |
JUF TOV Volunteer Network * |
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Jewish United Fund |
Engages members of our community in the mitzvah of tikkun olam, repairing our world. TOV connects individuals of all ages to one-time and ongoing volunteer opportunities throughout the Jewish and greater Chicago community. Join TOV in repairing the world, one good deed at a time. |
JUF Uptown Cafe * |
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Jewish United Fund |
Located in the Dina and Eli Field EZRA Multi-Service Center, this first kosher anti-hunger program feeds the hungry while nourishing their spirits. The Cafe serves dinner three nights a week and Sunday brunch. Staffed by volunteer servers, the Cafe provides a dignified setting for nutritious food and connections to the community. |
Maot Chitim of Greater Chicago * |
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3710 Commercial Ave |
Delivers kosher holiday foods to families and individuals in need throughout the Chicago metropolitan community. Food is delivered for Rosh Hashanah and Passover. Volunteer opportunities exist for all aspects of the delivery—building boxes, packing boxes, and delivering the meals door to door. Everyone is welcome. |
Mini-Camp TOV * |
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Jewish United Fund |
Mini-Camp TOV is the same great experience as Camp TOV, in a smaller package! Take part in a jam-packed two-day session of hands-on volunteering, taking place in early June after school ends and before overnight camp begins. To participate in Mini-Camp TOV, you must be a Jewish teen from the Chicago area entering grades seven through 12. |
National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) |
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Chicago North Shore |
The National Council of Jewish Women is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children and families, and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. For over a century, NCJW has been at the forefront of social change. NCJW members are outspoken champions for progressive policies at the federal, state and local levels. Over the years, NCJW's collective voice has changed the world for the better -- improving the lives of women, children and families in the US and Israel. |
National Council of Jewish Women South Cook (NCJW) |
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P.O. Box 982 |
For 96 years, NCJW South Cook Section has addressed the needs of our South Suburban Chicago communities through dedication to improving the lives of women, children, and families, community service, and advocacy programs to preserve our individual rights and freedoms. We are advocates, tutors, readers, art appreciation volunteers, local agency board members, actors and singers who entertain special needs populations, supporters of local emergency shelters, lunch servers, donors, event planners, and so much more. We are proud to partner with other local agencies to provide the most comprehensive programs to assist those in need in our communities. |
The ARK Seymour H. Persky Building * |
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Main Listing |
Services include medical, dental and eye care, pharmaceutical assistance, rent and utility assistance, food, transitional housing, legal aid, job search assistance, benefits advocacy, case management, psychological therapy and testing, a day program for people with ongoing mental health needs, and more. |
Volunteer Opportunities in JUF's Partnership Together Program * |
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Jewish United Fund |
Volunteer in JUF's Partnership Together region of Kiryat Gat-Lachish-Shafir in Israel's northern Negev. Volunteer pays transportation and misc. expenses; lodging, at no cost. No Hebrew necessary. |
Volunteers * |
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JCFS Chicago |
Volunteer with JCFS Chicago and make a positive change in your community. We match your skills, availability and passions with our volunteer opportunities. Our projects range from once a year to once a week, from all across Chicago to the suburbs. |
Volunteers for Israel * |
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Park West Finance Station |
Work on a supply base in Israel for one, two or three weeks. Ages 16 to 80. Room and board provided. You pay airfare. Certain to be a most rewarding experience. Programs throughout the year. |